On Friday, Oct. 17, This Week in Worcester published, “Worcester Woman to Voters: Reject Candidates that Protected Alleged Child Rapist.” The woman who made the statement included current candidate for District 3, Rob Pezzella.
Over the weekend, District 3 voters received text messages which featured the above mentioned article. The origin of the text messages is unclear.
This Week in Worcester sent no text messages. The article is free and on the internet, which enables anyone who wishes to attach it to use the link to the piece anywhere they wish.
Some have also suggested that this article indicates a preference in the District 3 election.
This Week in Worcester does not and has no plans to endorse any candidates for any office.
Some have also said the article indicates my personal bias in support of Pezzella’s opponent, John Fresolo.
As editor of this publication, I made the editorial decision to write and publish the article in support of, or in opposition to, no candidate.
Both candidates in District 3 said publicly they never read the investigation report by the U.S. Department of Justice on the Worcester Police Department.
Since the release of that report in December 2024, This Week in Worcester has published tens of thousands of words related to the report, the Worcester Police Department, and the lack of reforms implemented by the city administration and the city council. I wrote the vast majority of that content.
Any suggestion that I would support any candidate so irresponsible and indifferent to the safety of the residents of this city that they didn’t even bother to read the report is absurd.
The options that District 3 residents have to choose from for their next city councilor are embarrassing. Either result is a disaster.
Only one other publication in our city has provided its platform to enable Heather’s story to be told.
A third publication did briefly before replacing a link to her story with another source that provided only the accused person’s version of the story. Nobody in the political class in Worcester criticized that publication.
I’m proud of the decision I made. I’d do it again.
I support Heather.
Tom Marino
Editor
This Week in Worcester
